Walmart Supercenter opens in Warren

Huge crowds made their way to the Walmart Supercenter in Warren for Wednesdayís opening day that included dignitaries from Walmart and customers eager to do some shopping.
Tom Watts--For The Macomb Daily

Laura Hunt of Eastpointe arrived for the opener of the new Walmart Supercenter in Warren on Wednesday and immediately noticed something in the air.

“The fresh new look of the store and lots of variety,” Hunt said. “The new everything is appealing.”

Garey Ganey of Sterling Heights arrived early at the sporting goods section of the new Walmart Supercenter early Wednesday, but the boxes of .22-caliber ammunition were already sold out.

But nothing could damper Ganey’s spirits on Wednesday.

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“People were lined up at 7:05 a.m. when I got here,” Ganey said. “They were already lined up in the sporting goods section and the guy in front of me bought the last box of .22-caliber ammunition.

“But the one thing I really like is they have a drive-thru pharmacy,” he continued. “That’s good for seniors who are disabled and can’t get around.”

Customers with different needs and wants arrived at the Van Dyke Avenue location Wednesday morning, and most everyone was ecstatic to check out the renovated store that will help revitalize a retail corner in need of a makeover.

With free sample giveaways and celebrities like Greg Kelser and Darren McCarty signing autographs, the opening was a big hit.

“It’s open now but it’s been five years in the making,” Walmart store manager Ken Brewer said. “It is always a location we are enthusiastic about. We never lost our passion here and happy to open a Supercenter.”

Over 300 employees have been hired to work in a spacious 185,000-square-foot facility that is being hailed as one-stop shopping with friendly customer service. It is housed in the former Walmart and Kmart location.

“Over 4,000 people applied; and we interviewed 3,300 people,” Brewer said. “They are very vibrant, very excited employees.”

The new energy-efficient Walmart Supercenter has over 100 aisles carrying over 150,000 items ranging from groceries to clothing to other merchandise. There are 32 aisles of grocery choices alone, and includes a full service bakery and deli.

Al Zora of Washington Township loaded up on baby products with so many good deals going on for Wednesday’s opener.

“I like all Walmarts,” Zora said Wednesday. “This one is new and clean, and lots of deals, too. There were specials on most of the stuff.”

The new store – open 24 hours a day seven days a week - also features energy saving sensor activated LED lighting throughout the building, state-of-the-art commercial grade baking equipment and environmental features like two electric car charging stations.

“You can charge your car while you shop,” Brewer said noting it is one of the company’s contributions to “green and environmental thinking.”

For many in attendance Wednesday, the new Walmart is good news because it is bringing business back to an area that once had boarded up store fronts.

“I’m excited,” said Barb Lemke, a shift manager at the new Walmart. “I grew up in Warren. This was a dead area. All the stores were shut down. But now it’s a booming center again. Walmart is bringing back the life.”

Lemke, who transferred from the Clinton Township Walmart location to accept a new position at the new Warren store, is excited about the fabric center inside the Supercenter.

“It’s a great place for people who like crafts and it’s not as pricey as other places,” Lemke said. “People still sew and they’re going to be happy.”

Shift manager Llaren Wynn said it is her job to make sure customer are indeed ‘happy’ as she is the store’s acting “happy manager.”

“Our job is to focus on the customer,” Wynn said. “We want to provide good customer service and give our customers a good experience.”

Customers at the new Supercenter will also find a Subway restaurant, tire and lube center, drive-thru pharmacy, a sporting good center that sells fishing and hunting licenses, vision center, and the newest addition, an online Walmart store where customers can order merchandize online.

“The footprint is unique,” Brewer concluded. “We have all new upgrades throughout the store; granite counter tops; a new facade outside; a lot going on inside.”

Of note, on Saturday, for Red Wing Kris Draper and retired Piston Earl Cureton will be signing autographs, while a Fit for Life class and a Family Welcome Tent will help make folks feel at home at the new Walmart.

The Walmart Supercenter is located at 29176 Van Dyke Ave. in Warren. For more information, call 586-467-0258.